Denver Museum of Nature and Science Volunteer Discovers a Huge Skull at Snowmass Village Fossil Dig Site

Museum scientists say skull is most likely a mastodon

Note to Reporters and Editors: Every afternoon,
the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will issue an update
about the fossil excavation taking place at Ziegler Reservoir near
Snowmass Village, Colorado. In addition to this e-mail, watch for
another e-mail with links to the still images shot today, and a
third e-mail that will allow you to download video from the dig
site.

Please Double Check Your Facts: It has been
erroneously reported several times that scientists have discovered
woolly mammoths in Snowmass Village. That is incorrect. Scientists
have found one juvenile Columbian mammoth so far. Woolly mammoths
and Columbian mammoths are different species. Woolly mammoths have
never been found in Colorado.

Today: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science
field crews began the second day of excavations at Ziegler
Reservoir outside of Snowmass Village, and almost immediately
uncovered the top of a large skull. Three feet of the specimen were
exposed by a bulldozer that clipped the top of the skull. Based on
the fact that two mastodon tusks had been discovered nearby, Dr.
Steve Holen, the Museum's curator of archaeology, believes that
this skull is from a mastodon. This hypothesis will be tested today
as the workers expose more of the specimen. The skull is oriented
top up, which means that the teeth in the upper jaw should be
exposed by further digging. The teeth of Columbian mammoths and
mastodons are quite different and if exposed, will confirm the
identification.

This amazing discovery was made by Museum volunteer Don Brandborg,
who has given more than 10,000 hours of his time to the Museum
since he started volunteering in 1996. Brandborg is a graduate of
the Museum's Paleontology Certification
Program, which trains citizen scientists to assist on Museum
fossil digs across the region. Brandborg discovered the skull on
his first day at the dig site, and in his first hour on the job. "I
hit pay dirt. This is just wonderful," said Brandborg of his
discovery.

Media Availability: Dr. Steve Holen will be
available for phone interviews late today by
appointment.

For additional information about the excavation, interview clips,
video clips and still images from the site, please check the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science's home page and press
page.

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About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science The Denver
Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region's
leading resource for informal science education. A variety of
engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors
celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and
the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver,
CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum, check
www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000.

Many of the Museum's educational programs and exhibits are
made possible in part by generous funding from the citizens of
the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural
Facilities District.